To date, there have been 114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Interior Health. As of 3 p.m. on April 1, there were 1,066 identified cases in BC.

• 606 people declared recovered and released from isolation (57.8% of cases)

Recovered cases mean that these patients are back in the community, symptom free, and it’s been 14 days from the onset of symptoms. At this point, the immune response, including the duration of immunity to COVID-19, is not yet understood. In other words, we don’t know if these people will get COVID a second time.

From what I’ve seen and heard, “mild” cases might be just like a cold, but trust me, you’re in for a few rough days. Fever that does not want to settle, significant body aches and pains and a constant dry cough. Anosmia (the inability to smell), is now recognized as a symptom for early recognition for COVID.

Patients that have been declared “recovered” might still have a cough that can linger for 3-4 weeks post illness.

But the important part is that our number of recovered patients is increasing. This trend is terrific.

There are early signs that we are managing to control the rate of new COVID cases in BC. We absolutely cannot give up on our efforts at this point. You are all part of the solution, and you are making a difference. We will continue to support you in every way that we can. We can flatten the curve together- by staying apart.

Our efforts to keep each other safe is working. We do not see an exponential rise in cases in BC, and definitely not in the Interior. Continue to wash your hands with soap and warm water, maintain physical distancing of two metres and stay home. Our current situation is not permanent. You can do it.

The video below was funny enough for me to share - please don’t crucify the medical staff if you don’t like it!)

https://youtu.be/F4jYWOqHPEA

Creston Valley Physicians and Medical Staff